Christmas tree bell ringing instrument



Dec. 15, 1953 F. 1.. BRONSON CHRISTMAS TREE BELL RINGING INSTRUMENT Filed Jan. 14, 1950 11v ENTOR. FREDERlC L. BRONSON ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 15, 1953 CHRISTMAS TREE BELL RINGING INSTRUMENT Frederic L. Bronson, Copiague, N. Y., assignor to Raylite Electric Corp., Bronx, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application January 14, 1950, Serial No. 138,584

9 Claims.

This invention relates to electrical operated bell ringing devices, and more particularly is directed to a Christmas tree bell ringing ornament operated by electric power through a portable wiring, such as used for decorating Christmas trees and other display purposes.

Among the objects of the invention is to gen erally improve bell ringing devices of the character described comprising a few and simple parts which are readily assembled to form a neat and appealing ornamental decoration, which shall be reliable in operation, which shall be relatively cheap to manufacture yet attractive in appearance, and which shall be eiiicient and practical to a high degree in use.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out. The invention accordingly consists of features of construction, combination of elements, arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described and of which the scope of application will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which one illustrated embodiment of this invention:

Figs. 1 and 2 are front and side elevational views, respectively, of an improved decorated electrical bell-ringing device constructed to embody the invention.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 3-3 in Fig. 2, exposing the interior construction of the improved device and showing the mercury switch in closed circuit position.

Fig. 4 is a greatly enlarged cross-sectional view taken on lines 4-4 in Fig. 3, showing a detailed interior construction of the simplified mercury switch.

Fig. 5 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary crosssectional view showing details of the mercury switch construction with-said switch in open circuit position.

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view showing a plurality of improved bell-ringing devices connected in series circuit to form a portable set, and

Fig. '7 is a diagrammatic View similar to Fig. 6 showing a plurality of improved devices connected in a parallel portable circuit.

Referring in detail to the drawing I denotes an electrically operated bell-ringing device constructed to embody the invention such as may be used as a Christmas tree ornament or for other decorative purposes.

As seen from Figs. 1 to device I 0 may have an enclosing casing Illa formed as an elongated tubular structure having outwardly extending arms or spread branches lob from the exterior side of easing Illa up from extreme lower end closure [00 thereof. Device ID when made as a complete unit for connecting in circuit, as for example, to conventional type of socket S, may have a screw base II to fit said socket S in the well understood manner, said screw base II projecting in axial alignment with said casing Illa from upper end cover llld thereof, opposite said lower end closure Inc, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3.

If desired said branch arms Illa and lower end closure Illc may be molded, pressed, cast or otherwise formed as an integral structure and upper end cover Hid formed part of central insulating post I Id of screw base I l on which contact ferrule or shell I Ib is securely mounted in space relation to center contact No of said screw base II. The latter with said end upper cover Ifld may be removably mounted and secured in a firm seated position by suitable fastener means such as rivets Ille as shown in Figs. 2 and 5.

Securely mounted to occupy lower and midportions of casing Illa there may be a suitable electrically operated reciprocating motor of any well known construction, and as here shown, is seen to comprise an improved solenoid magnet coil I2 wound with a central axial bore [2a in which is fitted for sliding movement a permeable, that is, magnetizable armature or plunger bar 12b which is made shorter than the length of bore 12a. As shown in Fig. 3, lower end He of solenoid magnet coil I2 rests on the interior side of casing end closure I00. The latter may be provided with a clearance through-opening I01 wherethrough an extension bar I2d freely passes,

said bar I2d being carried to project down from lower end of armature l2b and beyond said end closure Inc to terminate in a striker or vibrator fitting l2g.

Armature I2b on the upper end thereof opposite said extension bar I2d also carries rod I2h which projects up through bore I 2a and above upper end I27 of solenoid coil [2a. Said rod I 2h may through a suitable loose interconnection, such as, terminatin bent end stop I 2k on rod l 2h and bead I2m secure on the latter a spaced distance down from stop I2k between which an eyeconnection portion I3t of an electrical operating switch I3 is actuated.

Electric switch I3 may be an improved quick make-and-break type, and of miniature size to readily flt and operate within casing I0 above solenoid I2 and below upper cover I M thereof.

As seen from Figs. 3, 4 and 5, said switch I3 may be constructed of insulating material, such as plastic or fibre having a body I30, formed with a recess or chamber 13b, said eye-connection portion I31. extending as a swinging end of said body [311. The other end of said body I311 may be trunnioned between metallic bearings I30 and ltd which journal shaft ends |3m and 131i, respectively, of current conductorelement lite and 13 respectively, said elements 13c and I3 being secured to extend along opposite sides of the body I30 and project therethrough into chamber I372 with switch terminal ends By and l3h of elements [3e and i3 respectively, exposed, said terminal ends iSg and tab serving to close a power supplying electric circuit on being bridged by a mercury globule Iii trapped within said chamber I327 by stopper or plug l37c which is securely fitted as a closure on a single open end of chamber l3.

Shaft ends Him and l3n of elements Be and I3) opposite switch terminal ends l3g and [3b, respectively, provide self-cleaning electrical connection with said metallic bearing I30 and l'd, respectively, the latter terminating spaced metallic stanchions 13p and Hg, respectively, which are secured to upstand on solenoid upper end 121'. Stanchions i310 may be connected in said circuit with one end 12p of the winding of solenoid mag net coil l2, and, stanchion |3q connected through conductor wire l I d with base shell ill), the other end [2g of solenoid coil [2 through conductor wire lie connecting with base center contact I to.

Arm branches Idb, if desired, may each be provided with suitable adjustable spread extensions, such as arms my secured by bolts lflh, free ends lily of arms lug providing anchorages for the opposite ends of a stretched elastic spanning member, for example, elongated helical spring 14, a mid-section I ia of which passes between tines I211 of vibrator fitting lZg when the latter is fork-shaped. If desired fitting [2g may be directly attached to spring mid-portion 14a instead of providing the loose connection shown in Figs. 1 to 3.

From spring I l, preferably at the mid-section Ma thereof, on an interconnecting bar I5, ends of which hang from said mid-portion Ma, through'links Mb, there may be suspended one or more sound producing means, such as here shown, a pair of bells Ia each having a free swing striker 551). By tensioning spring [4 through spread adjusting arms I By, a desired degree of vibratory movement may be delivered to bells I51; and strikers I 51) on reciprocating abutment of said fitting Hg with said spring midsection [4c in the manner hereinafter described.

Current carrying elements I36 and 13;, and particularly shaft ends 13m and I372, and terminal ends 139 and 3h thereof, respectively, may be practically kept in proper electrical condition without requiring attention by making said elements 13c and if of bronze or a suitable nickel alloy, such as so-called German silver.

As clear from Figs. 1v to 3', tines l2n, or the like structures that may be provided as part of fitting 12g serve to restrict side movement of spring mid-section [to so that the latter is in most favorable position for receiving effective vibration or blows from the armature movement with fitting 12g therewith or thereon.

After constructing and assembling bell-ringing device it as described above and shown in Figs. 1 and 5, the operation and utility of the invention will be apparent.

Device It may be suspended from a Christmas tree or incorporated in other forms of decorations by providing a portable power circuit in cluding a conventional tap-plug P connected through flexible wiring W with a plurality of said sockets S in series, or in multiple as shown diagrammatically in Figs. 6 and 7, each device [0 being screwed into a socket S in the well understood manner as indicated in Fig. 1.

On connecting tap-plug P to a household or commercial current electrical power supply (not shown) the solenoid magnet coils l2 are energized since normally each armature 12b is dropped down and switch [3 is in closed circuit position, shown in full lines in Figs. 1 and i, the circuit extending from socket S successively to base shell, Mb, conductor wire I Id, stanchion iSq, switch element t3f', globule 133i, switch element l3e, stanchion lip, coil end i210, coil [2, coil end I211, conductor 'wire He and back to base center contact Ilc.

This energizing of each solenoid magnet coil it will slidingly draw, that is, raise armature lab through magnetization thereof into bore 1 2a lifting rod 12-71., from the position shown Figs. 3 and 4 to that shown in Fig. 5. In the fully raised or extreme up-stroke position, switch is is tilted on trunnion bearing Bo and 33d sufficiently to cause globule I311 in chamber I 3 to break the circuit between terminal I39 and lab, de-energizing each solenoid magnet coil [2. Each armature IE1) is thus released from its magnetic attraction permitting the weight of armature 122) due to gravity to become effective which on dropping with fitting l2g strikes the latter on spring mid-portion I40. a hammer blow for vibrating spring It and janglebells 15a and strikers lilb to produce a desired ringing sound.

The making and breaking of the circuit operation through switches l3 will continue so long as electric power is provided to tap-plug P successively producing repeated hammer blows for continuously vibrating spring 14 to ring bells live. It has been found that when device [0 has the solenoid magnetic coil l2 thereof designed for a 12u-volt circuit, energizing said coil [2 will reciprocate armature [212 over strokes a minute with said improved mercury type switch It.

It is contemplated in commercializing the. invention by providing device It either as single units each connected in circuit through portable wiring fitted with a single socket S at one end thereof and a tap-plug or plug P at the other end of such portable wiring all of well understood construction, or as a series circuit connecting said devices it with wiring W and tap plug P in form of a set as is clear from Figure 6. Also, in the form of a plurality of shunted or parallel connected devices Ill may be connected in multiple circuit through sockets S, forming a set, as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 7.

It will thus be seen that there is provided an improved device in which the several objects of the invention are achieved and which are well adaptedto meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments of the invention may be madein the above invention and as various changes may be made in the embodiment above set. forth, it is to be understood that all matters herein set forth and shown in the accompanying drawing are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a decorative electrically operated bell ringing device including a. switch controlled elec-. trically operated motor having an enclosingcasing, a resilient supporting structure carried to extend from the exterior of said casing, sound producing means secured to said structure for movement therewith, and impact means for actuating said structure and sound producing means during the operation of said motor.

2. In a decorative electrically operated bellringing device of the character described including solenoid magnet coil having an axial bore and permeable armature mounted to reciprocate in said axial bore, a switch mounted along the path of movement of said armature connected in circuit with said magnet coil, an extension of the armature operatively connected to move the switch for making and breaking the circuit energizing said coil, a hammer fitting mounted for movement by said armature to be projected in a path beyond said coil, said fitting being in a striking position with respect to a sounding bell of said device, a casing for housing the magnetic coil and switch, spaced apart arms extending from said casing between which the path of movement of said fitting projects, and a resilient support anchored to and. stretched in tension be tween said arms for supporting said sounding bell in the path of said fitting movement.

3. In a decorative electrically operated bell ringing device as defined in claim 2, in which said hammer fitting terminates in a fork having spaced apart tines between which said support stretches for retaining the latter against displacement from the path of projected movement of fitting.

4. In a decorative electrically operated bellringing device including a switch controlled electrically operated motor having an enclosing casing, a resilient supporting structure carried to extend from the exterior of said casing, impact means connected for movement in a pre-determined path during the operation of said motor to actuate said structure, said structure forming a tensioned anchorage in said path for supporting a sounding bell of said device.

5. In a decorative electrically operated bell ringing device including a mercury switch supported over and connected in circuit with a solenoid magnet coil having a. vertically disposed axial bore, a sliding magnetizable armature cooperatively mounted in said bore efiective to raise said armature into said bore when said coil is energized and to be lowered by gravity when said coil is deenergized, said switch having a body of insulating material trunnioned at one end on current carrying metallic bearing support from an upper end of said coil and connected in said circuit through current conductor elements which provide make and break terminals for said mercury switch effective to make the circuit through said switch when said armature is lowered by gravity and to break the circuit through the switch when said armature is raised, a casing for enclosing said magnet coil and switch, a hammer fitting secured slide with a lower end of said armature for movement beyond said casing,

and a resiliently tensioned support for a sounding bell of said device carried by said casing in said path of movement for actuating said support.

6. In a decorative electrically operated bell ringing device including a mercury switch supported over and connected in circuit with a solenoid magnet coil having a vertically disposed axial bore, a sliding magnetizable armature cooperatively mounted in said bore effective to raise said armature into said bore when said coil is energized and to be lowered by gravity when said coil is de-energized, said switch having a body of insulating material trunnioned at one end on current carrying metallic bearing support from an upper end of said coil and connected in said circuit through current conductor elements which provide make and break terminals for said mercury switch eifective to make the circuit through said switch when said armature is lowered by gravity and to break the circuit through the switch when said armature is raised, a casing enclosing said coil and switch having at one end spread apart branch arms extending from an exterior side thereof, a circuit plugging connector terminating the other end of said casing, a support on said arms for suspending a sound producing bell, and a fitting carried at a lower end of said armature aligned to intermittently actuate said support for sounding the bell.

7. In a decorative electrically operated bell ringing device, a vibratory support string for suspending sound producing bells thereon, a switch supported over and connected in circuit with a solenoid magnet coil having a vertically disposed axial bore, a sliding magnetizable armature cooperatively mounted in said bore effective to raise said armature into said bore when said coil is energized and to be lowered by gravity when said coil is de energized, a hammer fitting carried at a lower end of said armature effective to strike said vibrating support string on the gravity lowering stroke of the armature, said switch being operated by said armature to be opened when the armature is magnetically attracted and closed when the armature is released.

8. In a decorative electrically operated bell ringing device including a mercury switch supported over and connected in circuit with a solenoid magnet coil having a vertically disposed axial bore, a sliding magnetizable armature cooperatively mounted in said bore effective to raise said armature into said bore when said coil is energized and to be lowered by gravity when said coil is de-energized, a hammer fitting carried at a lower end of said armature effective to strike a sound producing means on the gravity lowering stroke of the armature, said switch having a body of insulating material trunnioned at one end on current carrying metallic bearing support from an upper end of said coil and connected in said circuit through current conductor elements which provide make and break terminals for said mercury switch effective to make the circuit through said switch when said armature is lowered by gravity and to break the circuit through the switch when said armature is raised.

9. In a decorative electrically operated bell ringing device including a mercury switch sup ported over and connected in circuit with a solenoid magnet coil having a vertically disposed axial bore, a sliding magnetizable armature cooperatively mounted in said bore effective to raise said armature into said bore when said coil is energized and to be lowered by gravity when said coil is de-energized, said switch having a body of insulating material trunnioned at one end on current carrying metallic bearing support from an upper end of said coil and connected in said circuit through current conductor elements which provide make and break terminals for said mercury switch effective to make the circuit through said switch when said armature is lowered by gravity and to break magma Refenema Cited. in tbs; file. of this patent UNITED; STATES; PATENTS Number. Name Date 6845,906 Brown Oct; 22-, 190E 841,975 Irving Jan. 22; 1907 Number Number blame, Date 'lfofiti ghamt v.-..- r-,. une. 1 9,-1.6 Amold a1:-.' ,?I9 .2 -.4 Feb-H3, 1,325 HesseF Mar. 5,1929 Holmes, Apr, 9, 1929 MQrrjs Dec. 20, 1932 Muller Aug. 8, I933 Plagens Sept 26, 1933 Muenter i Au 4,, 3 Wangiql; Oct. 30,1934 liralnspn.v W July 1 19 Pettit I Apr. 22; 1952;

FOREIGN BAIEN' IS.

Qountry Date Sweden April 11, 191? 

